Aretha Franklin breaks ribs in fall

SOUL singer Aretha Franklin has cancelled shows after breaking two ribs in a fall at her US home.

The 68-year-old also suffered abdominal pain and has been advised by doctors to undergo further medical tests.

The star, who performed on stage with former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice last week, was to play two free gigs in New York next week.Franklin said in a statement that she hoped to be able to reschedule the performances within weeks.

In a statement to The Detroit News, she said she was “very much looking forward to being in Brooklyn and having a foot-long hot dog at Coney Island”.

Franklin had been due to perform on Monday and Thursday next week and had also been scheduled to appear at a private birthday party.

Last week Rice — a classically trained pianist — accompanied Franklin on two numbers at a charity concert in Philadelphia.

Brooklyn borough president Marty Markowitz said he hoped the shows could be rescheduled “when she’s feeling better”.

“All of Brooklyn wishes Aretha Franklin a speedy recovery,” he said in a statement.

In 1987, Franklin became the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and last year she sang at the inauguration of US President Barack Obama. — BBCOnline.